Former Brighton & Hove Albion winger Shamir Fenelon has hit the ground running this season at Aldershot Town and fan columnist Lewis Blain believes the 23-year-old could be key for Gary Waddock's men this year...

When Gary Waddock returned to the club in the summer of 2016, he was tasked with the tough job of rebuilding an entire squad. A squad that would compete at the top end of the table for the first time in years. A squad that would reinvigorate dwindling support. A squad that understands what it truly means to play for this wonderful club.

With recruitment, Gary does what Gary knows best; find young, hungry players that maybe have a point or two to prove or have serious raw talent that he could nurture under his guidance.

In the 2007/08 title winning season, Waddock’s squad was full of players 22-and-under; Scott Davies, Danny Hylton, Kirk Hudson, Anthony Straker, Joel Grant and Scott Donnelly to name just a few.

Aldershot's Danny Hylton celebrates a goal (Image: TMS)

Fast-forward ten years to now, the current squad has an average age of just 24. Excluding Scott Rendell, the midfield and strikers combined have no player over the age of 25. Waddock has given young talent the platform they deserve.

The spotlight last season was very much on the talented trio of Kundai Benyu, Bernard Mensah and Idris Kanu. The latter a 17-year old who Waddock managed to snatch from right under Manchester United’s nose; Mensah came fresh out of Premier League Watford’s academy; Benyu’s “attitude worries” made him out of favour at Championship side Ipswich.

For two of them, their performances here at The Shots earned them big moves during the off-season. Benny is now at SPL Champions Celtic and has featured in the Champions League already this season, while, Kanu has joined the production line at Peterborough United, hoping to become the next Dwight Gayle or Aaron McLean.

(Image: Surrey Advertiser)

By helping us achieve our aims, players know they can reach their aspirations. Whether it be taking us back into the Football League or personal performances attracting interest from higher tiers. It can benefit us all.

Step up, Shamir Fenelon.

The former Republic of Ireland U21 international joined from Crawley Town last season. I’ll be the first admit I had my doubts looking at the winger’s record but he very quickly changed my opinion and I’m so glad he did. The three aforementioned players often took the limelight off some of the squad throughout last season but one player who I thought didn’t get the credit he deserved was Fenelon. He managed to pick up seven goals in just 31 starts from a wide position; massively underrated contribution.

At 23 years of age, Fenelon hasn’t really ever settled or lasted long at any club having racked up eight clubs in four seasons, albeit the majority on loan. Nonetheless, Aldershot’s number seven looks to have found a perfect home here.

He has started the season in frightening form having scored in each of the opening three matches and he doesn’t look like stopping any time soon. With 43 games (possibly a few more) still left in the season, Sham’s already halved his goal tally from the last campaign and could set this league alight given the chance. Assistant manager James Rowe has praised the work Fenelon put in over the summer so it is only right that he gets a bit of early recognition, I feel.

It is a collective effort, of course, with every single one of the players making an impact to this fantastic start to the season. I firmly believe it to be just a continuation from the form that has seen us lose just one regular season game this calendar year, for which, the players, the staff and everyone involved deserves utmost acclaim.